Insight into canine behavior?

[Dee & Chloe]

Chloe was attacked at the dog park two days ago. She sustained several puncture wounds and is on antibiotics but no stitches needed. This is the third or 4th  time she has been attacked while just standing and by a dog she has not interacted with. She is very submissive and just howls and tries to get away. This time the dog  kept going after her and I had to hit the other dog with a tennis raquet to get him to stop. Both Chloe and I were very traumatized. I know there are many discussions about dog parks and I wish I didn't have to go there but I have no other place for Chloe to be able to run and burn off energy.  I am beginning to feel she sends out some type of weird "vibes" as it seems like the agressive dogs keep "bullying" her. She plays well with many  dogs and has never had a problem with them. I do leave if I see a dog acting agressive but all of the attacks have come with no warning.

[Adina P]

So sorry about Chloe getting attacked.  I really don't know why she's getting attacked but I'm just wondering if there are possibly other places for Chloe to get her wiggles out without going to the dog park.  Do you run or jog?  Have you ever tried frisbee or does she like fetch?  Any baseball fields, school yards, high school or college athletic fields that are empty at certain times of day or other places that are relatively safe you could take her?  You could always put a 30 foot line of some sort on her so you have some leash to grab.  If you don't take her to the dog park, what happens?  Does she bounce off the walls or get destructive indoors?  For what it's worth, our Boca (2 years old) is sorta high energy and she has never stepped foot in a dog park and she's fine.  Of course she can play with Rosco, but even on rainy days when I don't let them stay out long she's fine.  And it's not really because of any great training because it's been over a year since I've kept up her training and she's awful at stays and such.  But she settles down in the house even if she's at first a little energizer bunny at every encounter.

Another option is to just go out to a park with her, on a 30 foot leash, and do some obedience.  Spend 20 minutes doing it (not non-stop but total) and throw in a few minutes of play between good obedience. Then just walk around for a bit. Just some thoughts, perhaps none of these are options for you.  But I'm not sure what else you can do if it's the 'other' dogs causing the problem and not yours.  Can't train other people's dogs for them and you can't intervene very quickly if the attack is sudden. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Most of our parks only allow 6 foot leashes.

[Dee & Chloe]

No, I am no longer able to run or jog, lol. I used to jog with my dobies and really miss the freedom of running. Unfortunately I am on oxygen 24/7 due to health issues. However, I am still quite fit, but not at high speeds. I do take her on two 30 minute walks daily and several short ones. This is in addition to me doing 2 miles on the treadmill at the gym. Chloe is a high energy dog and all of the trainers suggested the dog park. I also play ball with her on my long deck and she loves that. I have tried taking her on a grass area with a long lead, but it is difficult for me to not get the lead tangled with my oxygen equipment. I have been taking her to the dog park 4-5 times a week  and I hit tennis balls for about an hour.  She loves to run and is quite agile. I hate to deprive her of that joy. There is both a small and large dog area in the park, and I may just try keeping her in the small dog area. Most of the people don't have a problem with that. The issues have always happened in the large dog area and by dogs larger than her.  

Thanks for your suggestions.  I guess I just thought I was missing something. I do tend to be very protective of her and do  not take my eyes off of her while at the park.

[GBK]

I think keeping her on the small dog side is a great idea....  Our small size dogpark doesn't even mind my 60lb Buddy there when I feel the large side has too much energy going on.  My 30lb Kona has been attacked unprovoked a few times, twice by golden retrievers at two different dog parks.  I am hyper vigilant now, and not only of the breeds you would think would be the troublmakers.  We do many doodle get togethers, and this helps too as there are so many more eyes out there protecting our doodles.  I hope you find a solution, I know how much they love to run free, good luck.

 

[F, Calla & Luca]

No matter why Chloe is getting attacked I cannot imagine continuing to take her to the dog park. It must be traumatic for her and you as well. Surely this is going to lead to fear issues on Chloe's part. I hope you can find some other options.

[Dee & Chloe]

Yes it was very traumatic and it will take both of us time to heal. She has been skittish and jumping at noises for the last 2 days. I don't want her to become a fearful dog and have been watching her behavior closely at the park. If she shows any sign of fear toward another dog I get her to another area so she doesn't have to deal with it If that doesn't work, we leave for the day. She has come a long way since I have been taking her to the park and for the most part just holds her own by standing still. Most dogs, but obviously not all, respect that body language.

[Pat and Traveler]

So sorry for both Chloe and you.  I'm one of those who no longer go to dog parks--except for one indoor park when there's a doodle romp.  Anyhow, I think Adina has some excellent ideas.  If you could find some place other than the dog park for walking or training, you could probably have a worthwhile time.  Even parks that require a 6' leash--well, maybe you could use a longer one if there wasn't anyone around, like in the earlier part of the morning.  Hope you'll be able to find a good solution.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I can't find some of the old discussions that were posted back in 2008-09 about dogs that are hairy being attacked more often. Also, Dogs who have hair covering their eyes get attacked more often.  There were other reasons. I'll keep trying to look.  But, I never forgot those old discussions. We have had this happen a lot ourselves.  I'm really sorry this happened to the both of you while you were just trying to mind your own business and play. It is like getting attacked by thugs for just being there. Disturbing. 

Empty tennis courts make great places to safely play fetch with your dog

[Dee & Chloe]

That is a great idea! I will have to search for courts in the area. Chloe does have hair covering her eyes so maybe I'll have the groomer trim her shorter next time!

[BG and Gavin]

Just make sure not to run her on cement courts as the wear and tear on her paw pads will have her lame and them bleeding.  Baseball diamonds are often fenced all the way around.  We use them for tennis ball hitting.  Gavin loves this activity.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

There are "bully" dogs who will go after a submissive dogs, and that may be what's happening.   We take our guys to Daycare once or twice a week and the owner did explain to me that when they do their "testing" of dogs prior to allowing them to attend this is one of the behaviors they look for.  But regardless of why, I would be really concerned about continuing to take her here.  She is looking to you to keep her safe, and I think she could begin to trust you less if you keep putting her in these situations.  We were also having trouble finding a good, safe place for our high energy Dood to run free, and Joanne's suggestion about the tennis courts has solved that problem.  We've found a couple of courts that are very rarely used except during the Summer and are gated.  We take our guys there and play fetch until they're "begging for mercy".  I also love the tennis courts for practicing our off leash training....because I know no matter how tempting the distraction is they are safe.  Good luck, and I give you so much credit for continuing to find great exercise opportunities for Chloe in spite of your health issues.

[Jen and Annie]

I am going to search for these threads because my Annie is almost in the same boat as Dee&Chloe. She is super submissive to other dogs, and when she gets 'play tackled' she just freezes on her back.  She's only been to the dog park a few times, but I'm afraid that one day she will get attacked.